A TV star has recalled fond memories of filming at a town church in a new film released by her sitcom colleague.

The film, Manningtree Mistley Lawford… The Present and The Past, has been released by Hi De Hi! star David Webb and it is centred on castmate Su Pollard speaking about memories of Lawford church.

Hi-de-Hi! ran as a popular sitcom throughout the 1980s and much of it was filmed at Warner’s Holiday Camp in Dovercourt.

Mr Webb spoke of his excitement at releasing the film and some of its contents.

He said: “Although the three communities sit by the Stour, virtually as one, each has its own stories to tell.

“I was fortunate to be able to film the old prison cells in Colchester Castle, where the victims of Manningtree man, Matthew Hopkins, the self-appointed Witchfinder General, were held before their trials and subsequent hangings in the mid-1600s.”

The 70-minute film features another castmate, Jeffery Holland, who played Spike in the long-running show.

Jeffrey performs a clip from his tribute to Laurel and Hardy, ‘and this is my friend Mr Laurel’ at Manningtree’s Manifest Theatre.

In the film, viewers will learn how unemployed miners from the north east were thrown a lifeline by Lawford in the 1930s with the formation of the Land Settlement Association.

There is also a look back at when Mistley was owned by a corrupt member of Parliament and how the village became a thriving barging port and the malting capital of the south.

Mr Webb added: “This year’s glorious summer allowed me to show the area at its best, with some stunning aerial footage.

“We join the thousands at the Tendring Agricultural Show and the hundreds crowding Manningtree beach for the regatta and its popular mud wrestling events.

“I’m looking forward to sharing the memories of life-long residents, recounting tales of ceaseless change through the decades.

The film will cost £14.99 and will be available at Manningtree Co-op, Lawford Service Station, Cooper’s Gallery at Mistley Quay Workshops.

Alternatively, the film can be purchased online from www.davidwebbfilms.com where a downloadable version is also available.